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Kenmore Elite Oasis 4.6 cubic feet Canyon Capacity

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Product Overview

This Energy Star qualified top loading washing machine has a generous 4.6 cu. ft capacity, meaning it can wash up to 24 bath towels in one load.

It is designed to be environmentally friendly, saving 69% on water and 66% on energy, and it comes with a Save Energy Plus option which saves up to 20% more energy (based on using the normal cycle and compared to a conventional machine built before 2004).

It is designed to deal with tough stains, with the Timed OxiTM feature which automatically releases oxygen-based stain fighters at just the right time in the wash cycle.

The washing machine has 5 water temperature settings and a maximum spin speed of 1050 rpm.
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Cons

• This Kenmore washer looks good, and it is available in four different colors: white, black, blue and stainless steel.

• There is also a matching dryer and together they make a popular combination.

• The washer has a useful window in the top lid. It also has a large capacity, which makes it ideal for washing bulky items such as quilts, or simply for working with heavy loads.

• The control panel is easy to use and gives the user a lot of control over spin speed, cycle time and the number of rinses and pre-soaks.

• The machine also has a self-cleaning cycle, and a security feature which prevents the lid from being opened when the wash cycle is in progress.
• Unfortunately this washer suffers from a number of problems. High efficiency washers are relatively new and while they use much less water than their predecessors, this can produce unsatisfactory results. Clothes coming out at the end of the cycle do not always have that ‘clean’ aroma which is so important, and because of the low water use some detergents may cause colors to run.

• The machine has a relatively high failure rate, with the lid often breaking and the digital display sometimes giving problems. Leaks and other faults are not uncommon, and many users report that they have frequent visits from a repair man trying to resolve their problems.

• It is a very noisy machine, and has a reputation for damaging clothes.

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Final Thought

At first glance the Kenmore Elite OasisTM seems like a good choice for a busy household where there is a lot of washing to be done.

It appears to compare favorably with its competitors in terms of energy efficiency and water consumption which are so important these days.

It will probably cost you over a thousand dollars and for that price you expect great reliability and performance, but this is the area where too often the machine fails to deliver.

If you are looking for a large capacity washing machine and you are willing to take a risk, then perhaps you might consider the Kenmore Elite OasisTM. But the verdict of many users is that you should keep well away from it and get something else instead. $

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Comments for
Kenmore Elite Oasis 4.6 cubic feet Canyon Capacity

Average Rating starstar

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Oct 22, 2009
Rating
star 		Oasis is bad design
by: Anonymous

I have a Oasis washer and dryer. Neither of them are worth the metal it took to build them. The motherboards on both become corrupted and the cost to replace them is about $300. Sears replaced the board on the washer in a recall, but won't do a thing about the dryer. Two weeks after my washer "repair" it started making a horrible noise when spinning. Rather than throw good money after bad I am thinking I should just buy new products. By the time I pay for parts and repairs the next thing will break. Sears has been no help at all except to supply the motherboard. They don't seem to realize that they are selling a severly compromised design and to hold the manufacturers responsible.
Sep 24, 2009
Rating
star 		Make a fool of me once.
by: Anonymous

The first one I had didn't work from the time we opened the box. The store where we purchased it, was kind enough to replace it. This time, it has taken almost 2 years, but the problem remains. The error code is F1. The repair man estimated $377 to repair the machine. I'm not sure it's worth it. Please don't buy one of these machines!
Jul 29, 2009
Rating
star 		JUNK
by: bill g

Computer panel malfunctions and the cost to repair is not worth it.

Do not buy whirlpool / Kenmore products.

Buy a garbage can, fill with water, soap, clothes and roll it around. Clothes will be much cleaner too.
Jul 16, 2009
Rating
star 		bad experience with this washer
by: James

We purchased our washing machine in March 2006. In May 2008. It stopped working and had a code on the display.

I can't remember the code. I found an appliance repair company that looked up the code for me and sold me the part. It was a computer board of some type under the display. It was a relatively easy fix but it cost over $200 for the part. Now in July of 2009 when in the spin cycle it sounds like a jet engine taking off.

I found a local appliance service company to come out for $49.95. The repairman said the main tub bearing is going out. It could last a year before it is completely out or it could go today. He had to research the part and get back to me with a quote.

We are extremely unhappy about this and will never buy another Kenmore appliance again. I would not recommend this machine to anyone.
Jul 06, 2009
Rating
star 		A terrible washer
by: Anonymous

I bought a Kenmore Oasis in 2007. It was quite expensive, but fortunately I bought it on sale.

Shortly after purchase, the washer began to fail in the middle of a cycle. If I babysat the machine, hovering over it and restarting it each time I got a fault, it would only take 90 minutes to complete a load of clothes. Fortunately, it was still under warranty at the time, so the initial service visits were free. Of course, parts were never available when I would call, meaning that there was frequently a 2-3 week delay between calling Sears and having my machine repaired.

Sadly, 6 months after purchasing the Kenmore, my house burned down. To my sorrow, the washer was undamaged, so I couldn't get insurance to buy a new one for me.

After our house was rebuilt, we began using the Kenmore again. 5 months after moving back, the washer began starting on its own. It appears to spontaneously enter a test cycle where it will run through all cycles, no matter whether the lid is open or closed. It beeps continuously through the cycle. I'm so disgusted at this point that I think I will buy a new washer.

The Kenmore is manufactured by Whirlpool. I won't be buying appliances from either Sears or Whirlpool again.
Apr 27, 2009
Rating
star 		DO NOT BUY
by:

I purchased this machine in August 2006 and 2 and 1/2 years later it literally exploded. A rod broke and the tub spun out of control denting all sides of washer, the top blew off and damaged the wall. It could have been very dangerous for someone in the laundry room. The machine averaged 3 loads per week (single person). SEARS will not do anything about it even after the repairman suggested it was defective. I will not purchase from Sears ever again as they DO NOT stand behind their products or value their best customers. I paid $950 after rebate and it lasted 2.5 years, unacceptable.

Read the reviews, this is a recurring complaint about SEARS!
jcga@bellsouth.net
Mar 25, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Quietpak 4 makes it quiet
by: Erin

I absolutely LOVE this washing machine. when my old machine broke, my husband and I were on a tight budget. I wanted to get a front loading machine as opposed to the old top loading one but it was not in the budget.

Now, I couldn't be happier with the choice I made. The washing machine comes with Gentlewash Technology with a wash plate that takes magnificent care of your clothing with a gentle touch to not ruin clothing.

The inside is roomy enough to hold larger or bulky items and I have no problem washing my queen sized comforter in the machine without overcrowding.

It is also energy saving because it has an automatic water level shut off to be sure that your clothes are washed in just the right amount of water to not be wasteful or cause burden to the environment. The machine comes with prewash, extra rinse, stain treatment and delay wash up to 11 hours.

It can be placed just about anywhere,too, because it has a quietpak 4 sound insulation installed that makes it extremely quiet while running.
Nov 13, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		a noisy washer :(
by: Anonymous

The good: This washing machine seems to do it's job fairly well. Clothes come out clean and I've yet to have to rewash anything. The bad: This is a noisy washer. It becomes unbalanced more frequently than I expected it would. I have a large family so the loads are usually on the big side, but this washer should handle it better.

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